Heaven Dou City, within the imperial palace.
The hall was filled with civil and military officials, yet not a single person spoke. Every face was ashen, and everyone trembled with fear.
At this moment, a low-ranking soldier covered in blood walked in.
His expression was one of utter despair, his eyes lifeless.
After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Your Majesty, Marshal Ge Long…"
"What about Ge Long?"
"Marshal Ge Long has fallen in battle…"
The moment these words were spoken, the entire hall nearly collapsed to the ground in shock. It was over—completely over!
Ge Long was the Marshal, and his soul power had even reached the Soul Douluo level. If he died, who else could possibly survive?
"Our brothers… all of them are gone…"
The soldier's face was full of sorrow. The only reason he had survived was because he was the messenger.
If even the messenger was covered in blood, what hope could there be for the others?
"What's the situation with Star Luo?"
In truth, "Xue Qinghe" already knew how things were on the Star Luo Empire's side: fewer than three thousand people remained.
These three thousand likely wouldn't survive until morning.
The rest of the matter would be handled by Spirit Hall.
"The Star Luo Empire has around three thousand people left, including the Star Luo Emperor…"
"You may go and rest."
"Xue Qinghe" waved his hand as he spoke.
After the soldier left, "Xue Qinghe" finally stood up and said, "Everyone, go home and gather your things. It's time to run for your lives."
"I will live and die with the Empire."
Hearing this, the officials' eyes lit up. If they left to pack now, there was still time!
If they delayed any longer, there would truly be no hope left.
Three thousand survivors?
But the Star Luo Emperor is a Title Douluo!
"Your Majesty, please take care!"
With one person taking the lead, the rest stopped pretending, hurriedly bidding farewell. They wished they could grow a few extra legs to run faster, racing toward their homes.
In the end, the Heaven Dou Empire had lost this battle. If they didn't flee now, then when?
At worst, they'd find some small mountain village to hide in. They didn't believe that, after things had reached this point, the Star Luo royal family would still pursue them.
Of course, in the future, it might not even be the Star Luo royal family anymore…
Yes, of those who could stand here, how many were truly foolish?
After everyone had left, "Xue Qinghe"'s lips curled into a slight smile. Everything had gone extremely smoothly.
At last, her mission was complete!
Over twenty years of undercover work had finally come to an end.
In this moment, she didn't know whether to feel happy or sad.
She had come to Heaven Dou City at the age of nine. By eleven or twelve, she had already been disguised as Xue Qinghe.
Before meeting Kong, there were times when she couldn't even tell whether she was Xue Qinghe or Qian Renxue.
After wearing the mask for so long, it became nearly impossible to remove.
"Kong… wait for me!"
A smile appeared on Qian Renxue's face, equal parts relief and sorrow.
So many people… and among them, so many innocent lives.
The true elite troops of Heaven Dou, Qian Renxue had not sent to war. Instead, she had her own people take them to the outskirts of the Natural Forest.
As for the so-called Royal Knights encountered by the Star Luo Empire, they were simply people wearing the uniforms of the Royal Knights.
"It seems it was the right choice not to send the real Royal Knights."
Star Luo Empire's military was strong, but as the saying goes, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. The nobility of the Heaven Dou Empire was simply too numerous.
In terms of military power, Heaven Dou did not compare to Star Luo, but when it came to national strength, things were not so simple.
This was also the reason why, in the end, both sides suffered heavy losses.
The next day, two pieces of devastating news spread across the continent.
Emperor Xue Qinghe of Heaven Dou, due to a grave error in judgment, caused such disastrous consequences. In the end, he committed suicide by poison in the palace, using death to atone for his sins.
As soon as this news came out, the world let out a collective sigh. A dignified emperor had actually chosen the road of suicide.
But the other piece of news left people utterly stunned.
The Star Luo Emperor and all remaining soldiers were attacked last night—none survived!
"???"
Unbelievable. The rulers of both great empires were dead!
So… who would rule the Douluo Continent now?
"Xue Qinghe" was truly dead. As for Qian Renxue, nothing had happened to her. At this moment, she was traveling with She Long, Ci Xue, and Xue Ke toward Spirit Hall.
Xue Ke was Xue Qinghe's full-blooded younger sister. After so many years together, Qian Renxue was genuinely fond of Xue Ke.
"Big Sister Xue'er, brother he…"
Xue Ke's eyes were red, her tears long since dried.
Before his death, "Xue Qinghe" had told her to follow Qian Renxue, which was why she was with her now…
"Xue Ke, I'm sorry. We came too late. If we'd arrived sooner, maybe we could have saved Qinghe…"
"It's not your fault, Sister Xue'er."
Xue Ke replied gently and sensibly.
They'd risked their own lives to help her escape; how could she possibly blame Qian Renxue?
She Long and Ci Xue exchanged a glance. This girl probably would never know the truth.
And maybe that was for the best. If she did, she might not survive it.
"By the way, Sister Xue'er, where are we going?"
Hearing this, Qian Renxue thought for a moment and replied, "Spirit Hall."
"What? Spirit Hall!"
Xue Ke was completely stunned. She never would have imagined that Qian Renxue and the others were actually people of Spirit Hall!
"Xue Ke, don't worry. I was very good friends with Qinghe. Unfortunately, until his dying breath, he refused to ask us for help. He only asked us to take care of you…"
Qian Renxue lied smoothly and without a hint of guilt.
For her, this kind of story came easily.
Upon hearing this, Xue Ke fell silent.
She didn't know all the details, but she could understand why Xue Qinghe hadn't asked for Spirit Hall's help.
If you turned to Spirit Hall for help, it was like asking a tiger for its skin!
As a princess of a fallen nation… no, now she should say, as a princess of a nation that had already perished—
Did she have any principles left?
At the very least, the people her brother Xue Qinghe had chosen could be trusted.
For some reason, she always felt an unexplainable sense of security around Qian Renxue, just like she did with Xue Qinghe.
Maybe that was why the two of them had become friends…
As for the idea that Qian Renxue had disguised herself as Xue Qinghe, Xue Ke didn't even dare to imagine it. How could such a thing be possible?
"From now on, I'll be relying on you, Sister Xue'er."
Xue Ke said, somewhat dejected.
"Don't worry, Xue Ke. Since I promised Qinghe I would take care of you, I will do so."
"From now on, you are my little sister!"
Qian Renxue spoke with complete sincerity. She had watched Xue Ke grow up—she'd practically raised her herself, so these words were absolutely true.
"Xue Ke, my little sister."
"Sister Xue'er!"
Hearing herself addressed as "sister," Qian Renxue secretly resolved that her secret of posing as Xue Qinghe must never be exposed.
Even if it was, Xue Ke must never be allowed to know.
She, Qian Renxue, was Xue Ke's brother's murderer!
And also the chief culprit behind the destruction of the Heaven Dou Empire!
'I hope you'll never know the truth, for the rest of your life…' (End of chapter)
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